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Michael Beale could be under 'untold amounts of pressure' at Rangers - BBC Scotland pundit
Rangers manager Michael Beale will be under “untold amounts of pressure” at the beginning of next season if he does not start picking up victories against Celtic, according to Kenny Miller.
Miller, who played for both Rangers and Celtic, believes the manager must put down a marker in Glasgow by defeating the club’s fierce rivals.
Beale has three opportunities to do just that from now until the end of the season, with Rangers set to meet Celtic twice more in the league and once in the Scottish Cup.
“So far, Michael has had 19 games as Ibrox gaffer,” BBC Scotland pundit Miller wrote in his Daily Record column (19 March). “After beating Motherwell yesterday, he’s had 17 wins, one draw and one defeat. The only points he’s dropped were against Celtic at home. And that’s where the pressure is coming from. Rangers’ failure to win any of the last four Old Firm games.
“Now, there are three derbies left, two in the Premiership and the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden. And make no mistake, if Michael doesn’t win any of those games against Celtic this season – there will be untold amounts of pressure at the start of next term.
“If he thought it was intense now, it will be multiplied this summer if he doesn’t put a marker down across the city.”
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Point to prove
Miller’s comments are not unfounded, with the current situation in the Scottish Premiership typifying the pressure that comes with managing both Rangers and indeed Celtic.
As former Scotland striker Miller noted, Beale has a very impressive record as Rangers manager, yet the club still find themselves nine points behind their rivals in the table.
His managerial reign will not be viewed as a success by Rangers fans if he doesn’t start to pick up points against Celtic in the matches to come, with such a feat proving difficult in recent times.
The clubs have already faced each other three times this season, with Celtic winning the first league encounter 4-0 at Celtic Park in September. The reverse encounter ended 2-2 at Ibrox in January.
And the following month, Ange Postecoglou’s side defeated Beale’s men 2-1 in the Scottish League Cup final at Hampden Park. The Gers need to win the next encounter if there is any hope of turning the tides in the Old Firm.
In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist was left stunned after Antonio Colak failed to square the ball to Fashion Sakala during Rangers’ 4-2 win against Motherwell.